Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-08
mATTuEwS's REJECTION.
The senate's Reasons for Its Action
Sent to the President.
[By telegraph 10 The Dispa

WASHINGTON, February THE rejection OF
James c. Matthews, Of Albany, ". y, nOini-
mated 10 be recorder Of deeds Of the District OF
Columbia will be sent to the President to-mor-
row, the order having been given by the Senate
today, which at the same time removed the
Injunction Of secrecy from the vote and all the
papers relating 10 the case. The papers COM
Prise She formal resolution OF the Senate re-
Iecting the nomination, upon when the vote
stood 81 10 II, "a follows:
Washes Allison, Blackburn, Bowen,
Chace. Coke, COnger, CullOm, Dawes, Ldmunds.
Eusiis, Eyarts, German, Iiawley, hoar, ingalls,.
Jones OF Nevada, Mcmillan. Malone, Morgan,
Palmer, Plumb Pugh, Ransom, salisbury,
sawyer. Sowell, Sherman, Spconer Vance, VIII
liams, aud Wilson of lowa-3i.
NAYs-MessrS Beck, Blair. Brown, Gail,
Cockren. COlqultt, Farwell, Gibson, Hampton,
Harris, Jones Of Aka. isas, Mcpherson. Mitchell
OF Oregon. Payne, Vest Nalthall aud WHIT
thorne-l1.
Messrs. Berry, Butler, Camden. Cameron.
Gray, and Kenna have announced mat they
would have voted in the negative had they been
present and not paired; and Messr5. Maniorson,
Miller, Stanford and Teller have announced
they would have voted In the Affirmative.
document prepared by Senator ingalls, ana
offered in the form OF a resolution has been
adopted by the senate to-day, and VIII be sent
with the rejection 10 the President. The vote
upon the adoption Of this resolution stood 70 to
* and the divisions were upon strict party
lines. The injunction Of secrecy was removed
uIon the motion Of Mr.. Riddleberger, which
was carried by a vote Of Is 10 (Alr. Morgan
The resolution, after rociting the nomina'iO ion
Of Matthews his rejection and denomination,
and quoting in full President Cleyeiands ON
municatiOn OF December 3lst accompanying the
rene minatlon. proceeds: THE senate does not
consider that il is required either 10 admit or To
deny the prOprety or correctness OF the con-
lecture Of the PRECEDENT as 10 the reasons by
which IL was guided IN declining TO confirm The
original nomination. Ihs President attempts
70 no mi I'M Z
by statinc-hrst. that the fitness OF
the nominee has been demonstrated; sec
ODd. that previous opposition 20 his appoint
ment among the citizens of the District mas
largely subsidized; third, that he desires in this
way 10 tender Just recognition and good faith
toward our colored fellOw-ctizens.n
II Is a sufficient answer 70 the first two rea-
sons alleged 10 say that neither could have
Teen applicable when Matthews was appointed
in August Immediately after the adjournment
of the Senate, for at that time his fitness had
not been demonstrated, nor had there been any
interval for local opposition t0subside untilsug-
gested by the President. The Senate was not
aware that the question Of Just recognition or
good faith toward our cOlOred fellOU-citiZens"
was involved In the question, aud II has never
lefOre been urged that person nominated Tor
an Office should be confirmed or rejected De
cause he was black or because he was Whito.
Classification has been abolished by the sup
preston Of the rebellion and by amend
ments OF the Constitution, and Is no longer
properly 10 be recognized In dealing
with public affairs. The Senate. however.
Ina view Of the message of the President, can
not fOrbear TO apprlse hin, since he mas raised
the race issue, that Frederick Douglass was, II
Is understood. requested 10 resign tue office OF
recorder OF deeds in the District Of Columbia
Ina order that James G. Matthews might be aI-
pointed 10 the place. without doubt Frederick
Douglass Is the most distinguished representa-
tive of the cOored race not In this country
only. but IN the world. 4 Just rec0gni-
Harra
eokored fellOW-citizens by the retention
Of Frederick Douglass, rather than by his
enforced retirement In order TO reward an
unknown and obscure partisan who had never
teen a slave, and therefore represented the en-
franchised race only by accident Of color. The
devotion Of the President 20 the political and
civil advancement Of the cOlored race might
have been equally sttestsd and good faith
might have been as strongly eyinced by the re-
teniion OF Douglass In Ofice, whose duties he
WAS discharging 10 the satisfaction OF the peo-
pie. unless IL Is 10 be understood that
"iust recognition" Is 10 be rendered
only 10 those members OF that race
who are supposed To entertain particular
political opinions. In such case the issue OF
race disappears and the test Is politics. The
senate has no official information other than
that contained In the message OF the PreslienL
whether Matthews is white or black. He Is AL
mitted 10 be a citizen OF New YORK. The orice
10 which he Is nominated Is strictly local The
cUmpensg alton for the performance OF its
duties Is not paid by the Government but
mainly by citizens Of the District having
papers 10 be recorded therin. His con-
fimatlon Is opposed with substantial una
nimity by the citizens OF the District VIM
out regard 10 color, politics, or occupation.
The just principles Of self-goyernment as wen
as the declarations of both OF the political
parties, Justify their desire that the duties OF
tho Office OF recorder OF deeds should be per-
formed by some resident of the District ac-
cepiable TO those whose property Is 10 be al
fecied by his acts. and who pay the entire ok
penss OF its administration.